An apparatus and method for managing power supplied to a portable electrical device includes an electrical connector configured to engage a complementary electrical connector of the respective battery. The portable battery-powered device also includes a selector switch configured to couple the electrical connectors of the plurality of power receptacles in at least one of a series configuration, a parallel configuration, and a combination of series and parallel configuration. The portable battery-powered device further includes an electrical load device including one or more electrical leads coupled to the selector switch. The selector switch is selectable during operation of the portable battery-powered device to provide power to the electrical device from a plurality of battery packs coupled in the at least one of a series configuration, a parallel configuration, and a combination of series and parallel configuration.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first configuration is a parallel configuration, and the second configuration is a series configuration to increase a rotational speed of the portable electrical device.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first configuration is a series configuration, the second configuration is a parallel configuration to increase an amount of torque generated by the portable electrical device.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein operating a mechanical selector switch comprises operating a mechanical double pole double throw switch.
6. The portable battery-powered device of claim 5, wherein the mechanical selector switch comprises a mechanical double pole double throw switch.
7. The portable battery-powered device of claim 5, wherein each battery of the plurality of batteries comprises a rechargeable battery pack comprising a plurality of rechargeable cells.
8. The portable battery-powered device of claim 5, wherein each battery of the plurality of batteries comprises a rechargeable cell.
9. The portable battery-powered device of claim 5, wherein the mechanical latching device comprises at least one of a friction fit and an interference fit between a power receptacle and the respective battery received therein.
11. The power supply system of claim 10, wherein the mechanical selector switch comprises a mechanical double pole double throw switch.
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July 12, 2019
October 11, 2022
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